Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig enjoyed a resurgent season in 2017, tapping into his power potential while additionally solidifying himself as one of the league’s better defenders at his respective position.
So far in Cactus League play, Puig has picked up where he left off from last season. In 32 at-bats over 11 games, he’s hitting .281/.303/.406 with a four doubles, four RBI, one walk and six strikeouts.
Of Puig’s games this spring, four have been split against familiar foes in the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants. In those contests, the 26-year-old has collected four hits in 12 at-bats.
To help prepare for the upcoming season, Puig approached Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and specifically requested he be in the lineup for games against the Diamondbacks and Giants this spring, via Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times:
Manager Dave Roberts said Puig has asked for extra playing time this spring against the Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks.
That Puig specifically requested more playing time against the Diamondbacks and Giants makes sense, considering the club’s early portion of their schedule in April.
The Dodgers host the Giants for a four-game set right out of the gate during Opening Weekend at Dodger Stadium, then visit AT&T Park for a three-game series the following week.
In between those matchups is a three-game road series with the Diamondbacks. The two clubs will again square off the following week for three games at Dodger Stadium.
With Friday’s loss at Salt River Fields, the Dodgers saw the last of Arizona this spring. They went 1-1 against the Diamondbacks and also split their two games with the Giants.
